Is there any use for empty cologne bottles?

Last summer I bought my first real bottles of cologne (previously I had used cheaper alternatives like aerosols, or simply went into department stores then went nuts with the testers). Now they have run out and I have two empty bottles. It pains me to think of throwing them out because I spent like $65 each on them, which to me is a lot of money. I like I should get some money back for turning in the bottles somewhere. I guess that is not realistic though right?

After reading other posts on this site I determined it's a good idea for me to keep the bottle caps because if I ever buy a tester without the cap, then I'll have one. But is there anything that can be done to put the empty bottles themselves to good use, or do I just need to bite the bullet stop vexing their ghosts?

Re: Is there any use for empty cologne bottles?

Bond No. 9 recycles perfume bottles. If you take an empty perfume bottle of any brand to Bond No. 9 (or the Bond No. 9 counter at Saks Fifth Avenue-- and possibly elsewhere) AND if you buy a bottle of Bond No. 9, they will give you a travel size (Bon Bon) free.

Re: Is there any use for empty cologne bottles?

That's why I like the splash bottles. I have a few new Witness ones. I had the option of getting spray or splash, and I went for the splash (the spray was just a bit more expensive). The Witness splash bottles are a great Art Deco design, with a bakelite type of screw top. After using up my first bottle, I cleaned it out and I use it for frags that I purchase in sample form (then decant into the nice Witness splash bottle).

Re: Is there any use for empty cologne bottles?

Originally Posted by Bigsly

That's why I like the splash bottles. I have a few new Witness ones. I had the option of getting spray or splash, and I went for the splash (the spray was just a bit more expensive). The Witness splash bottles are a great Art Deco design, with a bakelite type of screw top. After using up my first bottle, I cleaned it out and I use it for frags that I purchase in sample form (then decant into the nice Witness splash bottle).

How do you clean the bottles out to make them totally 'safe' to put other fragrances in?

I've a guerlain golden bee bottle with crusty bits of previous perfume. It's currently on it's third sterilisation. Will this be safe to put my precious Guerlain Ode in?

Re: Is there any use for empty cologne bottles?

I have made old perfume bottles into glass candle lamps. If it has a sprayer you can usually prise it off, then you just have to get a glass wick holder, insert a wick, pour in the lamp oil, and bob's your uncle.

Very unique and beautiful, and helps save the planet by recycling too. As a bonus, you can add scent to the oil to fragrance a room.

You could also just create a colourful collection on a sunny windowsill, or use a bottle as a vase for a single flower if you are so inclined. The possibilities are limitless.

Re: Is there any use for empty cologne bottles?

You can't really get all the old scent out no matter what but I refill some of them with water and spritz myself to cool off in hot weather or spray clothes with them when ironing.

Get a lab grade glassware cleaner and soak the empty bottle in it overnight. Rinse it with several rinses of water and then several rinses with Everclear or perfumer's alcohol. Repeat if necessary. That will get any residue out (the lab I worked at did trace organic analysis and this procedure would get out all but the most stubborn reagents). If that fails then the only other solution to get rid of perfume residue is pretty drastic but it WILL work, soaking the bottle in a Chromic Acid bath (however, this stuff is very corrosive, very toxic and should only be performed in a lab by someone skilled in lab work).

Last edited by surreality; 9th March 2009 at 03:51 AM.

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Re: Is there any use for empty cologne bottles?

I think its worth keeping rare bottles, or if you have a good collection of creeds they still look good together even if they are empty, I decant into sample spray bottles (about 1.5ml) to carry round with me and if they have had a different scent in them you have to thoroughly wash it out about 10 times before you remove the scent of the previous frag.